2016
J. Lohr GestureSyrah

The 2016 J. Lohr Gesture Syrah shows aromas of fresh red fruit and blueberry with a palate of bright cranberry, mineral and chalk.

- Steve Peck, Director of Winemaking

Vintage

Generous rains returned to Paso Robles in 2016 with the Gesture Syrah blocks receiving over 22 inches of precipitation prior to budbreak. We saw above average heat summation through the spring which supported healthy vine growth, followed by moderate summer temperatures leading into veraison. Syrah is prone to early sugar accumulation and we saw daily temperatures seesaw between the mid 80s to over 100 degrees, over several 5-day periods in late September and early October. We made each
of our two picking decisions to coincide with the cool cycle between heat spikes to best preserve the fresh fruit character of these blocks.

Vineyard

The two vineyard sources for the 2016 Gesture Syrah are the Terra Bella vineyard and the G2 vineyard. The Terra Bella planting is in the Adelaida district on an east facing slope at an 1,800 foot elevation. The G2 vineyard is a property in the middle of the Willow Creek District that we have worked with for over a decade. The calcareous soils and steep slopes on these properties are ideal for producing intensely concentrated flavors in our favorite Syrah clone, 877.

Cellaring

Food Pairings

Accolades & Reviews

93 PointsRobert Whitley, Wine Review Online, March 2019

The Gesture series is specially made for the J. Lohr wine club, which anyone can join. The wines across the lineup are rich and juicy, typical of Paso Robles, and beautifully balanced and inviting. The Syrah is a standout in the lineup, showing layered flavor complexity with notes of
blueberry and blackberry, a touch of wood spice and firm but nicely integrated tannins.